Toys & # 39; R & # 39; Us plans to return to the US

Richard Barry, CEO of Tru Kids Brands and former Global Chief Merchandising Officer at Toys "R" Us, plans to open at least two Toys "R" Us stores this year, according to a person familiar with Barry's plans is.

The owners of Tru Kids Brands won the rights to the Toys "R" Us brand last October. They also took over the other assets and brands of the former company, including Babies "R" Us, Geoffrey the Giraffe and Imaginarium.

"We are definitely coming back in 2019. At least two stores, more are planned for 2020." said the person. The new stores will be smaller than the old stores of Toys "R" Us and "experiential" added the person.

Bloomberg first reported on Barry's plans.

"We are very interested in bringing the brand back to the US," Barry told CNN Business earlier this year. "We work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to bring it to life."

Barry presented his plans for Toys "R" Us at a recent Las Vegas conference, said Isaac Larian, the billionaire behind Bratz dolls and Little Tikes toys.

"They are considering opening two stores first and then going on from there, hoping they're successful," he said. "In the US there is a need for an independent toy chain, whether it be Toys & # 39; R & Us or something else."

Larian has been trying to buy about 300 Toys "R" Us locations in the US and Canada over the past year. Toys "R" Us declined this offer.

Tru Kids Brands has been in the US since she won the rights to Toys "R" Us in October. Together with the US grocer Kroger, the company set up "Geoffrey's Toy Box" sections in 600 shops during the holidays. Thirty-five toys were part of the action that introduced the legendary mascot Toys "R" Us.

More than 700 stores of American Toys "R" US were closed last year. However, the company operated 900 stores in Europe, Asia and India. The new owners plan to open another 70 overseas branches by the end of the year, mainly in Asia.